Connecting external sensors to the DL1 CLUB
Connecting GPS
For the DL1 CLUB, the GPS antenna comes with 3 metre cable, which will allow you to position the module almost anywhere on a road car. The GPS antenna connects via a co-axial screw connector on the back of the DL1 CLUB Unit. Once the GPS antenna has been connected, it will turn on automatically when there is power to the DL1 CLUB unit.
The best place to position the GPS antenna will change depending on the vehicle type. The GPS needs a good clear view of the sky to be able to lock onto the satellites to give the best results. As such, if there is a roof to the vehicle, this will always be the best place to place the antenna. If you are on a vehicle like a kart or a bike, then you will have to find the best location which gives a constant view of the sky.
For more detailed information on GPS antenna positioning, click here. Please note that if your GPS antenna gets damaged, you can buy a replacement antenna from Race Technology. Email sales@Race-Technology.com for further details if you need a replacement antenna.
"WARNING": To avoid any possible damage to the car paintwork, please take care when mounting magnetic GPS antennas. In particular make sure that there are no dust or grit under the antenna. In some cases it maybe required to add additional protection to the paintwork prior to mounting the antenna to avoid damage.
External Sensors
The DL1 CLUB allows you to attach several external sensors for logging. These can be frequency or analogue inputs. There are 4 frequency inputs, generally used for shaft or wheel speeds, and 12 analogue channels (25v input). The DL1 CLUB is supplied with connectors for the external inputs. For each input, the positive wire connects to the input, and the ground to one of the ground connectors. If the sensor needs a 5v reference supply, there are two available on the back of the unit. You can have more than one sensor attached to the ground and reference output.
If you wish to connect an RPM sensor, see here for more details.
The 25v input is a nominal maximums, exceeding this upper voltage limit will cause other channels to read incorrect voltages.
Connecting A wheel speed sensor
Allow a few hours to mount and test the wheel speed sensor correctly, there is no simple/universal solution to fitting the wheel speed pickup and in some applications it can be problematic. The wheel speed sensor supplied by Race Technology is a high quality "Hall Effect" type, it is the same type of sensor that is used in high quality ABS and traction control systems on high performance production cars. This type of sensor does not require a magnet to trigger it, just something metal - typically, the sensor is mounted so it is pointing at a moving bolt head. The sensor should be rigidly mounted using the bolt hole though the sensor and with the end less than 3mm from the moving metal object. The closer to the metal object the sensor is mounted, the better the slow speed performance of the sensor. There are 3 wires connected to the wheel speed sensor: More information.
- Connect the black wire to ground
- Connect the red wire to 12v
- Connect the white wire to wheel speed input (one of the frequency inputs)
Remote start/logging indicator
The DL1 CLUB has the option to have an external start/stop logging switch and an external indicator fitted. There are no dedicated pins on the DL1 CLUB to do this. It is done by using one of the analogue inputs as the logging control input and one of the low side driver outputs (Analogue 9-12) as the logging status output.
- Connect a momentary switch between Analogue input 11 and one of the 5v references. This will put a 5v pulse on the analogue input which will trigger the start/stop.
- Connect the - terminal of an indicator lamp / LED to Analogue input 12 and the + terminal to either one of the reference outputs or to the main 12v supply.
This means that not only can you start and stop the logging remotely, you can also monitor whether the device is currently logging - useful when the DL1 CLUB unit is mounted in a position that cannot be seen from the drivers seat.